How to Get From Phong Nha to Hanoi

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Written by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten·

Bus · Train · Flight

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Map showing route from Phong Nha to Hanoi - 383 km

Phong Nha → Hanoi383 km

Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, 383 kilometres (238 miles) north of Phong Nha. Its Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets, food stalls and scooters. Flying is the quickest way to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi, taking 3h. By road, the bus is the cheapest at $14 (355,000 VND), and the train costs more.

DISTANCE

Distance from Phong Nha to Hanoi

Phong Nha and Hanoi are about 383 km (238 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 486 km by road. The quickest way to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi is by taking the flight, which takes around 3h.

~383 km

Straight-line distance

~486 km

Route distance

Fastest

Travelling the other way?Hanoi to Phong Nha→

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3 ways to travel from Phong Nha to Hanoi

There are three ways to travel from Phong Nha to Hanoi. You can choose between the bus, train, and flight. The journey takes 3h–11h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $14 (355,000 VND).

TransportDurationPrice

There are several companies operating sleeper buses from Phong Nha to Hanoi.

With a sleeper bus, you’ll get a standard sleeping bunk, usually with a blanket as well as drinks and snacks. Bus fares from Phong Nha to Hanoi start from $14 (355,000 VND). You can pre-book a sleeper bus ticket through BookAway.

If you’re looking for more comfort for the 8h 30m - 10h journey, you can also get a limousine cabin sleeper with Hung Long. Tickets are more expensive at $23 (600,000 VND), but you’ll also get a nicer bed as well as curtains for privacy.

You can book a VIP ride from Phong Nha to Hanoi via Baolau.

Departure and arrival station

Buses depart from various hotels along the main street in Phong Nha.

In Hanoi, they arrive at their own headquarters, mostly located just a few minutes walk to Hoan Kiem Lake. Only Camel Travel and Hung Long park a bit outside of the city centre, about 3 km south of the Old Quarter.

Bus schedule from Phong Nha to Hanoi

9hGreen TripsSleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha208 D. Tran Quang Khai21:00$14355,000 VNDTickets

10hTo Vietnam TravelSleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel Phong Nha200 Tran Quang Khai21:00From $14355,000 VNDTickets

9hTBusSleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha8 Bat Su, Old Quarter21:00$15390,000 VNDTickets

8h20mGrouptour - obsoleteSleepingPhong Nha SSBHanoi SSB21:0021:45From $16415,000 VNDTickets

9hQueen Cafe BusSleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaOffice 208 Tran Quang Khai, Old Quarter21:00$16430,000 VNDTickets

Show all 17 companies

9h20mHung LongLuxury SleepingNam Anh Hotel (oppositeHung Long Hanoi Office19:00$17435,000 VNDTickets

8h40mFull Moon PartySleepingPhong Nha Hung Thanh Bus OfficeHa Noi Full Moon Party Tour20:3020:4020:50From $17440,000 VNDTickets

8h45mCamel TravelVIP SleepingThien Phu HostelHa Noi Office21:0521:20From $17440,000 VNDTickets

10hQueen Cafe BusLuxury SleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong NhaOffice 208 Tran Quang Khai, Old Quarter21:00$17440,000 VNDTickets

9h20mHung LongLuxury SleepingPhong NhaHanoi19:00$17450,000 VNDTickets

10hTo Vietnam TravelVIP CabinTo Vietnam Travel Phong Nha Office338 Tran Khat Chan19:30From $17450,000 VNDTickets

9hGreen TripsVIP CabinCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha208 D. Tran Quang Khai21:00$18460,000 VNDTickets

9hTBusLuxury SleepingCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha8 Bat Su, Old Quarter21:30$19495,000 VNDTickets

9hVietnam Luxury TravelVIP 20 SeatsPhong Nha70 Nguyen Huu Huan Street22:00From $22580,000 VNDTickets

8h20mGrouptour - obsoleteVIP SleepingPhong Nha SSBHanoi SSB21:0021:45From $23610,000 VNDTickets

9h20mHung LongVIP CabinNam Anh Hotel (oppositeHung Long Hanoi Office19:45$24630,000 VNDTickets

10hTo Vietnam TravelVIP CabinTo Vietnam Travel Phong Nha OfficeNuoc Ngam Bus Station18:45$26670,000 VNDTickets

Available atBookaway Baolau

Booking Tip

Hung Thanh is another bus operator for this route. However, we don’t recommend travelling with them because they get bad reviews. These include overloading, rude staff, and dirty buses. If you still want to travel with Hung Thanh, you can book a ticket through Phong Nha Locals.

Hanoi

When taking the train from Phong Nha to Hanoi, you first have to get to Dong Hoi Railway Station. This station is located about 40 km south of Phong Nha.

If you decide to take the train, we recommend picking one that travels overnight from Phong Nha to Hanoi. This way, you don’t lose a Full day on the journey. You also get to have a good night’s sleep and even save one night on accommodation.

Step 1: Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Railway Station by Bus

1-1.5h$1.90 (50,000 VND)

From Phong Nha, you can take the local bus to Dong Hoi for just $1.90 (50,000 VND). Bus 4 departs from Phong Nha city centre every hour from 06:00 to 17:00. There’s a catch though, this bus stops at the Central Bus Station, located about 1 km from Dong Hoi Railway Station.

This means that from the bus drop-off point in Dong Hoi, you’ll still need to walk for about 15 minutes or take a short taxi ride to the train station.

If that is too much hassle for you, you can also take a direct taxi from your hotel in Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Railway Station. Rates start from $15 (400,000 VND) for the 1-hour taxi journey.

For a more detailed guide, do check out our page on Dong Hoi.

Step 2: Dong Hoi to Hanoi by Train

10h 30m - 12h 30m$17 (450,000 VND)

There are 4 to 5 trains operating daily from Phong Nha to Hanoi via Dong Hoi. Most of these trains travel from early evening to morning the next day. Travel time is around 10h 30m - 12h 30m.

This gives you plenty of time to go through your photos and maybe update your Instagram before enjoying a nice sleep at your train cabin. The sunrise in Hanoi will welcome you the next morning!

Rates for a 4-berth sleeper from Dong Hoi to Hanoi start from $17 (450,000 VND).

It’s best to confirm the train schedules and even book your tickets beforehand to make sure you don’t miss your desired train. You can do this via BookAway and Baolau.

Trains depart from Dong Hoi Railway Station and arrive at Hanoi Train Station, located 2 km southwest of the Old Quarter.

11h30mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiHanoi17:05$17450,000 VNDTickets

12h10mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiHanoi07:02$18475,000 VNDTickets

10h51mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiHanoi18:49$18480,000 VNDTickets

12h18mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiHanoi21:52$19495,000 VNDTickets

10h30mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatDong HoiHanoi19:30$19500,000 VNDTickets

Show all 26 companies

11h45mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi23:55$30770,000 VNDTickets

12h10mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi07:02$30780,000 VNDTickets

11h30mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi17:05$31800,000 VNDTickets

12h18mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi21:52$31820,000 VNDTickets

10h51mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi18:49$32840,000 VNDTickets

10h30mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi19:30$33860,000 VNDTickets

12h10mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi07:02$34900,000 VNDTickets

12h10mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi07:02$35900,000 VNDTickets

11h30mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi17:05$36930,000 VNDTickets

10h51mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi18:49$37970,000 VNDTickets

10h30mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi19:30$38990,000 VNDTickets

10h41mNewLivitrans ExpressShared Cabin for 4Dong HoiHanoi18:49$471,240,000 VNDTickets

10h25mNewLivitrans ExpressShared Cabin for 4Dong HoiHanoi19:30$481,240,000 VNDTickets

10h30mNewLivitrans ExpressShared Cabin for 4Dong HoiHanoi18:4919:30$531,400,000 VNDTickets

11h45mVietnam RailwaysCabin 2 XDong HoiHanoi23:55$561,480,000 VNDTickets

11h55mLaman ExpressShared Cabin for 4Dong HoiHanoi23:45$711,860,000 VNDTickets

10h30mVietnam RailwaysCabin 2 XDong HoiHanoi19:30$721,900,000 VNDTickets

11h55mLaman ExpressFirst Class SleeperDong HoiHanoi23:45$1303,400,000 VNDTickets

11h55mLaman ExpressPremium ClassDong HoiHanoi23:45$1453,850,000 VNDTickets

Train tickets are available on Bookaway and Baolau.

Booking Tip

We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you're eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.

Hanoi

The third option is to fly from Phong Nha to Hanoi via Dong Hoi. The disadvantage of this option is that you first have to take a bus or taxi from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Airport and then another bus from Hanoi Airport to the city centre.

When you include the waiting time for your flight as well as the time it takes to check-in and get your luggage, you’re already looking at a 6-hour journey. We think that taking a flight is too much hassle considering you can take a direct bus.

Do you still want to take a flight from Phong Nha to Hanoi? See the step-by-step guide below.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Step 1: Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Airport by Bus/Taxi

1h$1.90 (50,000 VND)

When travelling from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Airport, you can take either a bus or a taxi for 1 hour.

The bus is quite convenient and affordable. Just catch Bus 4, which departs from the main road in Phong Nha and drops you off just outside the airport. A ticket costs only $1.90 (50,000 VND).

Bus 4 operates daily from 06:00 to 17:00 with an hourly interval. Note that it has no definite schedule and if you miss the bus for the hour, you’ll have to wait a while for the next bus.

If you’re short on time, you can also take a taxi from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi Airport. Rates start from $15 (400,000 VND) when you hail a taxi from the street. You can also pre-book your ride via BookAway for $22 (580,000 VND).

See our page on Dong Hoi for more info.

Book a Private Transfer with BookAway

Step 2: Dong Hoi to Hanoi by Flight

1h$30 (770,000 VND)

Direct flights are available daily from Dong Hoi to Hanoi. These are operated by Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways.

Airfares start from $30 (770,000 VND) when you book your tickets well in advance. We also recommend regularly checking Skyscanner for the cheapest rates, as you can sometimes book this route for as low as $25 (660,000 VND).

The flight time takes around 1 hour.

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Step 3: Hanoi Airport to City Centre by Bus

1h$1.70 (45,000 VND)

From Hanoi Airport, you can conveniently get to the city centre by taking Express Bus 86. A ticket costs only $1.70 (45,000 VND) and travel time is about 1 hour. Inform the driver beforehand where your hotel is located so he can drop you off at the nearest bus stop.

Express Bus 86 makes several drops near the Old Quarter before making its final stop at Hanoi Railway Station.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Hanoi Airport to the city centre with rates from $8.70 (230,000 VND).

Visit our page on Hanoi Airport for more transport options.

Where to travel next?

Hanoi to Sapa: 6-9 hours

Explore the rice fields in Sapa

Hanoi to CatBa: 3.5-4 hours

Enjoy the stunning views of the karst mountains

Hanoi to Ninh Binh: 2-3 hours

Paddle through the Tam Coc or Trang An river while passing karst mountains and rice fields

Hanoi to Hoi An: 3-17 hours

Enjoy the great atmosphere of Hoi An with a mixture of Japanese, Vietnamese and French influences

City Centre

Reach out to our Community

No questions yet — be the first to ask about Phong Nha to Hanoi.

STAY

Our favourite places to stay in Hanoi

Here are our favourite places to stay in Hanoi for every budget.

Budget

Siva Luxury Hotel

Just landed in Hanoi? In this hotel, you will get the best night of sleep you had since ages. The friendly staff will give you a warm welcome and serve a wonderful breakfast buffet the next morning! Located in the middle of the centre, but completely isolated from all the noise.

Double rooms with city view from: $42 (1,100,000 VND)

Check availability

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Hanoi?

Hanoi is Vietnam’s bustling capital, where heritage and modernity collide. At its heart is the iconic Old Quarter bustling with cosy hotels, old residential buildings and neighbourhood cafes. Composed of 36 streets, just walking around this area will reward you with many amazing discoveries.

Must-visit sites include the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the 19th-century gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We recommend munching on as much street food as you can, strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, and our favourite: watching the world go by from one of the many coffee shops in Hanoi.

Rounding it up

That's the Full picture for getting from Phong Nha to Hanoi, roughly 383 kilometres (238 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $14 (355,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 3h.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Phong Nha to Hanoi?

The distance from Phong Nha to Hanoi is 383 kilometres (238 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi?

The fastest way to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi is by flight and takes 3h.

What is the cheapest way to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi?

The cheapest way to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi is by bus with ticket costs starting from 355,000 VND.

About the Authors

Ela

Senior Travel Writer

Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.

MaartenReviewer

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.

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How to Get From Phong Nha to Hanoi

Distance from Phong Nha to Hanoi